Property know-how with George

This month property developer, architect and presenter of Channel 4’s The Restoration Man looks at the benefits of giving your home’s exterior a bit of a makeover

I’ve recently made a new TV series for Channel 4 called ‘Ugly House’, which is all about making existing ugly houses look good again.

We have 25 million existing homes throughout the UK of all different styles, shapes and sizes and, as most of our housing stock is well over 50 years old, many of our homes have been adapted to suit the needs of different homeowners over the years. There is also no doubt that fashion, style and people’s tastes dramatically change from generation to generation too, which means that many of our homes are modified so much they begin to lose sight of their original design and in many cases become a bit of a mess. The series was all about me putting together some of the most talented architects in the country with Ugly House owners and showing that with great design and creativity even the most ugly home could be made lovely again on an affordable budget. The challenge was to not only transform the outside of the house, but also to make the house work inside for 21stcentury living too.

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At last we can kiss goodbye to the dark, dreary days of winter and look forward to the lighter, brighter days of spring. Easter comes early this year, so to celebrate we’ve put together some scrummy recipe ideas that are perfect if you’re having family and friends over during the Easter weekend (p.100). And, if you want to make it extra special, why not try your hand at our beautiful Easter craft projects to decorate your dining table too (p.60)? If you’re planning to make the most of the long bank holiday weekend with a spot of decorating, make sure you take a look at our brilliant eight-page spring trends forecast on page 36. We’ve picked the five hottest looks from the high street, so whether you’re drawn to laid-back coastal blues, eye-popping tropical brights or calming candy colours, you’re sure to find some inspiration for your new colour scheme. Sick of waiting for your other half to do the decorating? Then turn to page 66, where we’ll guide you step by step through the basics of tiling. I know the bank holiday is the time of year when many of you are ready to get back out in the garden. So on page 114, you’ll find our suggestions for which plants to include in your beds and borders to guarantee your garden is full of colour all year long – yes, even in winter! Finally, if like me, your pets are important members of your family, then make sure you read our low-down on pet insurance on page 18. Your furry friends will thank you!